Method of applying a biological specimen to an analytic plate

Abstract

A method of applying a biological specimen to an analytic plate by using an applicator device to apply a coating to the analytic plate and adhering the biological sample to the plate. The coating is substantially transparent, translucent or invisible, and is substantially flush with the surface of the analytic plate. The coating is preferably comprised of a polysiloxane, siloxane, silicone, a silane, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof and optionally an acid.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of applying a biological sample to an analytic plate, comprising:
 applying a fluid composition to a surface of the analytic plate with an applicator to form a containment border extending from one edge of the analytic plate to an opposing edge thereof, the applicator being a pen or pen-like device having a body with a reservoir and an applicator end with a tip extending from the body, the fluid composition being positioned in the reservoir and comprising a polysiloxane, a siloxane, a silane, a silicone, a silicon fluid, or a combination thereof, 
 wherein the fluid composition is applied to the surface of the analytic plate by appressing the tip of the applicator end to the surface of the analytic plate to cause the fluid composition to flow from the reservoir of the body, through the tip, and onto the surface of the analytic plate to form the containment border in a way that the containment border has a thickness of less than 0.0001 inches after drying; and 
 applying the biological sample to the surface of analytic plate after the containment border has been applied to the analytic plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border is in the form of at least one strip. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the strip has a thickness of 0.00001 inches or less. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the analytic plate has a length and a width, and wherein the strip is formed to extend across the width of the analytic plate. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the strip is formed in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to at least one edge of the analytic plate. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the biological sample is applied to the analytic plate between the strip and the edge of the analytic plate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the strip is a first strip, and wherein the method further comprises the step of applying the fluid composition to the surface of the analytic plate with the applicator to form a second strip extending from one edge of the analytic plate to the opposing edge thereof in a spaced apart relationship to the first strip. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein each of the first strip and the second strip has a thickness of 0.00001 inches or less. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the biological sample is applied to the surface of the analytic plate between the first strip and the second strip. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border has a thickness of 0.00001 inches or less. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analytic plate is glass. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border is colorless. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border is transparent. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border is translucent. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border is invisible. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the containment border is transparent, translucent, or invisible and is resistant to removal and abrasion. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analytic plate is glass and wherein the refractive index of the analytic plate is substantially unaltered by the containment border when viewed through a microscope.